Richard A. Girard, of Manchester, passed away unexpectedly on June 22, 2017.
Born on January 14, 1945 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he married his wife of 49 years, Nancy E. (Churas) Girard on June 22, 1968. Together they raised four children: Richard H. Girard of Manchester, Laurie J. Eidt of Wilton, CT, Michelle K. Girard of Portsmouth, NH and Daniel A. Girard of Manchester. Rich delighted in his seven adoring grandchildren, Dominic, Colette, Madeleine, Emeric, and Amelie, born to Richard H. and his wife Jennifer (Thibault) Girard, and Christian and Allison, born of his daughter Laurie and her husband Christian J. Eidt.
Rich was graduated from Bishop Bradley High School, New England College, Suffolk University and Notre Dame College.
A dedicated, respected and true educator, Richard began his career as a teacher at Southside Junior High School in 1967, was promoted to assistant principal and retired as Principal of Southside Middle School in 2001. He also served as President of the Manchester Education Association.
After retiring, he worked part time at Hannaford’s Supermarket in Pinardville, after which he went into wine sales, rising to the position of Sales Manager for Perfecta Wine Company in Manchester.
Rich put his love of jogging and soccer to work as a certified varsity NHIAA soccer official. He also put his teaching skills to work, developing the association’s first apprenticeship program to better train referees.
Rich had a passion for reading, the performing arts and movies. He was a member of the Palace Theatre and often brought his grandchildren there. He amassed such a collection of movies, his children and grandchildren often joked about him going into the rental business. And, his library was vast, containing many books from favorite authors Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy, among many, many others.
He also loved Star Trek, James Bond and Dancing With The Stars.
Rich was predeceased by his adoptive parents, Dr. Henri L. Girard and Inza L. (Richard) Girard of Manchester. In addition to the abovementioned family members, he is survived by his sister Ann-Louise Rukas of Puyallup, Washington.
Calling hours will be held at the J.N. Boufford & Sons Funeral Home at the corner of Bridge and Pine streets in Manchester on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 4PM to 7:30PM. A Christian committal service will start at 10 AM on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at the Mount Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum on Goffstown Road in Manchester.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association or the Granite United Way.
For more information and online guestbook please visit www.bouffordfuneralhome.com.
Auxiliary parking is available in the old St. George Church parking lot on the corner of Pine & Pearl Sts.